THE LAST DAYS

 

Show Low/Snowflake/Overgaard



 

 

After a few days in Durango we went to the cool White Mountains of Arizona as we headed a little closer to home.

  

 

 

The eagle has landed!  This popular landmark is on the corner of Highways 260 and 60 in Show Low.  We even found a cache there!

 

Site of the first jail house in Show Low.  Have driven by it many times but never saw it or knew its significance until we discovered a cache there.





Nancy and her high school friend, Jan Berghouse, who lives in Overgaard.  We had dinner together and then attended a concert of the Blackwood Quartet at FBC of Overgaard.

 

Blackwood Quartet

  

The Hiatt Family Retreat

 

 

What a delight to visit former friends, Sam and Patty, and see their "cabin" in the woods near Happy Jack.  His dad, Jim Hiatt, was our pastor in the early 60s.  It gives a whole new meaning to the word "cabin" -- sleeps over 50.  

 

 

Sam (who looks like he could be a member of the Duck Dynasty clan), wife Patty, their son and daughter-in-law. 

  

 

This is NOT what we would call "ample parking" for our motor home, but with Sam's direction , Russ was able to get the rig back out on the road.

  

Clint's Well 

 

 

Nancy and friend Walt on a trip in his side-by-side.  We have learned that most people our age like this type of transportation.

 

 

Day trip to the Mogollon Rim.  We, of course, went in the Jeep.

 

 

Tornado damage to the beautiful pine trees (about 2 years ago).

 

 

Notice that it just took off the tops of the trees. 

 

 

While we were jeeping we found the grave of Private Joseph McLernon of the US Cavalry who was killed during the Indian Wars on July 17, 1882.

 

Pump system that sends water down the hill to various communities.

  

Overlooking Payson from the top of the Rim.

Elk are plentiful in the area.  This bull walked right through the campground!

 

Flagstaff

 



 

We spent our last few days of cool weather in Flagstaff at Woody Mountain Campground.  Jenni joined us for a few days of R and R.

 

One of the greeters near the entrance.

 

Russ and Jenni out for a walk.

 

Bearizona - Williams

 





 

While we were in Flagstaff we took a day and went to Williams and came upon Bearizona.  It is very similar to Bear Country USA that we went to last year in Rapid City, South Dakota.



 

 

Entrance

  

 

Cute little bears carved in the pole at the entrance.

 

 

There were many animals other than bears including this mountain goat...

 

wolf

 

white bison

 

 

raccoons

 

 

snow fox and of course.....

 

 

bears

bears

 

bears and

more bears.

We even found this bear that was kind enough to stand still long enough for Nancy and Russ to get a picture.

 

And finally home.

TOWARD THE END

Ponderosa Happenings

 

Even after the Black Forest fire we continued to have an occasional deer and several flocks of turkeys.  Both of these food seekers were just outside our motor home door. 

Things were beginning to slow down, particularly in the snack shop, so we decided to leave early.  Most of the activity was on the weekends and we had several college interns who were a big help and able to cover the weekends.  Improvements to camp are continually being made.  See some of the enhancements completed by volunteers.

Paul Rawls and Jose Stephens braved gale force winds to light up the cross at the end of the trail at the top of True Mountain.

Volunteers spent hours and lots of energy to refurbish the horseshoe pits.

The walkway near the dining hall has a new look and is much easier to walk along.

Thanks to Carol Rawls, mother of Camp Director Marcus, there are beautiful flowers everywhere.



Fun Valley

After we left camp and spent a few days in La Veta, CO we continued to Fun Valley Family Resort near South Fork, CO.  A few days before our arrival, a wild fire consumed one of the mountains near the camp and everyone, including the residents of South Fork, was evacuated for 10 days.  Thankfully, there was no damage to the campground which has provided a wonderful place for family camping experiences for many years.

This is a view from the top of the hill overlooking the 700+ RV Park.

Our campsite near a canal was inhabited by mama ducks and babies.  Took on a whole new meaning of "get your ducks in a row!"

Caching in Monte Vista, home town of Terri Rawls - wife of camp director, Marcus.  Nancy found this cache pretty quickly!

Fishing at Fun Valley - both weekly winners caught rainbow trout weighing in excess of 6 pounds.

Caching near Summitville - 11,500 ft.  We weren't expecting to find snow!

Bible study at the Chapel of the South Fork was led by Dennis Daniel, long-time resident of Colorado and now resides in Buckeye and attends FSBC!  He's also a great fisherman.  The Rio Grande River behind their South Fork home is minus a few hundred fish this summer!

Lobo Lookout near the Continental Divide and Wolf Creek Pass.

Russ found one of the best caches we've come upon.  Of course, the lady who planted it happened to walk up and "caught" us searching; her "hint" pointed us in the right direction.

 

One day as we were caching, we came upon this historic grave....  Col. Albert H. Pfeiffer, a native of Germany, emigrated to America in 1844.  He became a soldier and scout with Kit Carson.  He was instrumental in securing Pagosa Springs for the Ute Indian tribe and was eventually adopted by the Utes.

Bill and Carolyn Gorman

Cousins from Plano, TX who have tediously built this beautiful mountain home in Pagosa Springs. 

Our parking site at Bill and Carolyn's.

Restful day fishing with Bill and Carolyn at Big Meadows, near Fun Valley.

Baby turkeys having breakfast in Bill and Carolyn's yard.

Durango

 

The Durango to Silverton train went through our campground 4 times a day!  We are currently in Show Low, AZ, planning to make 3 more stops before returning home in a couple of weeks.